Poll Reveals Democrats Less Jolly Than Republicans

This holiday season, it appears that Democrats are feeling a bit more stressed than their conservative counterparts. A newly released Axios-Ipsos poll reveals that 61% of Democrats say spending time with loved ones over the holidays causes them stress, compared to just 39% of Republicans. The poll, conducted between December 6 and 9, surveyed 1,002 adults and highlighted a number of differences in emotional well-being between the two parties, with Democrats reporting lower overall mental health.

While 17% of Democrats rated their emotional health as poor, only 7% of Republicans felt the same way. This disparity in holiday mood suggests that the political climate, which has become increasingly polarized, may be weighing more heavily on those on the left.

A separate Harris poll conducted in late November found that more than 40% of Americans aged 44 and under were skipping holiday celebrations due to political disagreements. This trend appears to have carried over into the Christmas season, with 72% of American adults expressing a desire to avoid political discussions with family members, according to the Axios-Ipsos poll.

Despite the rising tension, most Americans, regardless of political affiliation, are in good spirits this season. A significant 84% of respondents reported that their emotional well-being was “very” or “somewhat good.” 

Chris Jackson, senior vice president of Ipsos, remarked on the findings, noting that despite the heightened political anxiety surrounding elections, the overall mental health of Americans has remained stable. “For all the gnashing of teeth since the election, people are rating their mental health virtually the same as earlier this year,” Jackson said. “There may have been high anxiety in the electoral context, but generally, there has not been any change.”

The partisan divide on emotional well-being appears to be part of a larger trend in which Republicans report higher levels of happiness and contentment than their Democratic counterparts. According to a 2022 Morning Consult poll, Republicans were more likely to describe themselves as happy, content, and energized, with a noticeable gap in these indicators when compared to Democrats and independents.

This contrast in emotional health is not just about political ideology but may also be influenced by broader societal factors. One possible explanation for the higher levels of stress among Democrats this holiday season could be related to family dynamics. Democrats have lower rates of marriage and family commitment compared to Republicans, with marriage rates lagging behind by an average of 18% since 2000.

Additionally, a Pew Research Center study from June found a significant divide in priorities between Biden and Trump voters. While only 19% of Biden voters considered marriage and children a key priority for American society, 59% of Trump supporters felt the same.